Sufficient coal stock at power plants: NTPC

Amid apprehensions of a deficient monsoon hitting the power sector this year, country's largest power producer NTPC has said that there is sufficient coal at its plants as of now. "We have sufficient coal at every station as of now," NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury said. 

If rains are poor and <g data-gr-id="19">hydro power</g> stations do not produce well, then thermal power plants can produce more, he said, adding that "annually we find...during this time (of monsoons) the difficulty arises". The Met department has revised downwards its projection of monsoon this year to "deficient" from "below normal", sparking fears of drought in some areas as also a spike in demand. On NTPC, Choudhury said it is on an accelerated growth path and expressed optimism that the company will easily surpass 12th Plan target of around 12,000 MW. 

"Today we are at 44,000 MW...this year we have <g data-gr-id="17">very</g> ambitious target. Almost 20,000 MW is under execution. We have already done 12,000 MW plus in the last three and a half years...the 12th plan target, which is 12,000 MW, we will easily surpass," he said.